Filtervac International

What Filtervac International does

Filtervac International Inc. is a privately held Canadian manufacturer of industrial oil purification, regeneration, and filtration equipment, headquartered in North Breslau, Ontario. The company was established in 1983 by Milan Rybensky, former Chief Engineer of Keene-Bowser Corporation (whose roots trace to 1885), and was reorganized in 1993 with a global-market focus. Its core technology stack combines high-vacuum dehydration, Alfa Laval disc-stack centrifuge separation, and Fuller's Earth clay filtration, with a proprietary ECoil regeneration system capable of reactivating clay up to 300 times and operating on energized or de-energized transformers. The company offers an extensive product portfolio organized around transformer oil solutions (VPH purifiers, ECOIL mobile and stationary regenerators, tap changer filters, mobile filter carts), turbine oil conditioners (VPL, TOP, combination systems), other oil products (Fuller's Earth filtration, lube oil regeneration, heating/flushing skids), and miscellaneous equipment (air dryers, water de-oxygenation, lubrication systems, flare blowers).

The company sells custom-engineered capital equipment, spare parts, and on-site services, and operates what it describes as the largest global fleet of rental and service equipment in the industry. Pricing is quote-based, distribution is direct through an enterprise field-sales motion (phone, email, website), and the company maintains in-house manufacturing with overhead cranes, a paint booth, and panel-building capabilities. Filtervac serves power generation utilities, transmission and distribution operators, refineries, mining operations, and pulp & paper and steel mills, with a named customer base that includes ABB, Hitachi Energy, Siemens, BC Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, Manitoba Hydro, National Grid, Duke Energy, AltaLink, DEWA, SEC, KOC, Hyundai Energy, and Chint across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Recent activity (2024-2025) includes multi-column regeneration system deliveries to the Middle East and Hitachi Quebec, a VPH 1600 mobile-unit shipment, and a September 2025 launch of a Tank Farm Monitoring System extending the product line into PLC-based process automation. Leadership remains family-controlled, with Milan Rybensky as Chairman/President and Marcel Rybensky (joined 1996) as COO.

Name

Filtervac International

Legal name

Filtervac International Inc.

Website

https://filtervac.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Filtervac International Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of transformer and turbine oil purification, regeneration, and filtration systems, serving power utilities, OEMs, and industrial customers globally through direct enterprise sales, rentals, and service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Oil Purification and Regeneration Equipment

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)

Keywords

• Transformer oil purification
• Oil regeneration systems
• Vacuum dehydration equipment
• Fuller's Earth filtration
• Industrial oil filtration

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Capital equipment sales of oil purification, regeneration and filtration systems including transformer oil purifiers, turbine oil conditioners, and specialized filtration equipment. Custom design solutions to meet specific application requirements.
2. Equipment Rentals: Rental selections of oil purification systems including VPH systems, ECOIL RS-M mobile units, and centrifuge separators. Designed to eliminate downtime during peak production without major capital upfront investment.
3. Parts and Service: Spare parts, filters, and service support for installed equipment. Global parts and service operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Filtervac International designs, manufactures, sells, and rents oil purification and regeneration systems used by utilities, power generators, refineries, mining operators, and industrial manufacturers. Flagship offerings include high vacuum transformer oil purifiers (VPH), Fuller's Earth-based mobile and stationary regeneration systems (ECOIL RS-M and ECOIL SRS), vacuum turbine oil purification systems (VPL), centrifugal separators, coalescer/separator systems, and a full line of mobile/portable filter carts and skids. The company complements equipment sales with global parts/service support and the largest rental fleet in the industry.

Product overview

Filtervac International is a leading North American manufacturer of oil purification and regeneration systems founded in 1983. The company's product portfolio centers on transformer oil purification and regeneration technology, including the flagship VPH (High Vacuum Transformer Oil Purifiers), ECOIL Mobile (RS-M) and ECOIL Stationary (SRS) Transformer Oil Regeneration Systems, and vacuum turbine oil purification systems (Model VPL). These core offerings are complemented by coalescer/separator systems (Model TOP), combination systems (VPL-CSR & VPL-TOP), Fuller's Earth filtration systems (both conventional and reactivatable), centrifugal separators, and mobile/portable filter carts. Additional specialized products include tap changer filtration systems (TCF3 & TCF5), heating/flushing skids, water de-oxygenation membrane systems, flare blower skids, lubrication systems, and wheel motor oil conditioning systems. The company operates the largest fleet of rental equipment in the industry, offering VPH systems, ECOIL RS-M, and centrifuge separators for short-term needs. Filtervac serves power generation, power transmission/distribution, refinery, pulp & paper, steel mill, and mining industries, with comprehensive capabilities including electrical engineering, panel building, mechanical engineering, and on-site testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transformer Oil Purifier (Model VPH) Stationary, portable and mobile high-vacuum transformer oil purifiers for degasification, dehydration, filtration and optional de-acidification of insulating oil. Removes free and soluble water, free and dissolved gases, and particulate matter to increase dielectric strength. Used by utilities and transformer OEMs.
• ECOIL Mobile Transformer Oil Regeneration System (Model ECOIL RS-M) Skid-mounted on-site regeneration system for insulating mineral oil in energized or de-energized transformers using Fuller's Earth clay. Removes acids, sludge, and colour; restores oxidation stability with automated clay reactivation for up to 300 cycles. Used by utilities and power operators.
• ECOIL Stationary Transformer Oil Regeneration System (Model ECOIL SRS) Tank-to-tank stationary regeneration system for insulating mineral oil that removes sludge and decaying products, improves colour and oxidation stability using a special blend of Fuller's Earth with automated reactivation. Used by utilities and transformer service providers.
• Tap Changer Filtration System (Model TCF3 & TCF5) On-line filtration systems for continuous removal of carbon, water, and metallic particles in tap changers caused by arcing contacts during load transfer. Used by utilities maintaining load tap changers.
• Mobile & Portable Insulating Oil Filter Carts Mobile and roadworthy filtration systems for cleaning insulating oils in switchgear and circuit breakers with processing rates from 10-40 GPM and particulate-removing filter cartridges. Used by utility and industrial maintenance crews.
• Vacuum Pump Standalone Packages Vacuum and booster pump assembly packages engineered to quickly reduce pump-down times on large transformers. Used by transformer OEMs and service contractors during installation and commissioning.
• Air Dryers Industrial air drying equipment for industrial applications. Used by manufacturing and utility customers requiring dry compressed air.
• Vacuum Turbine Oil Purification Systems (Model VPL) Vacuum dehydration systems for removing emulsified and dissolved water, fine particulate, and gases from turbine oil. Self-contained, skid-mounted, PLC-controlled automatic operation. Used by power generation and industrial turbine operators.
• Coalescer/Separator Purification Systems (Model TOP) Systems for removing free and emulsified water and particle contamination from turbine oil using a series of coalescers, separators, and high-quality particulate filters. Used by power plants and industrial turbine operators.
• Combination Systems (Model VPL-CSR & VPL-TOP) Combined systems integrating centrifuge and coalescer/separator technologies with vacuum oil purifiers for maximum turbine oil system cleanliness with unattended automatic operation. Used by power generation and industrial customers.
• Conventional Fuller's Earth Filtration Systems Systems designed to remove contaminants such as acids, waxes, gums, resins, asphalts, sludge, carbon, surfactants, and traces of free water from various oils and liquids. Used by refineries and industrial oil processors.
• Lube Oil Regeneration System (Reactivatable Fuller's Earth System) Reactivatable Fuller's Earth system allowing 200 to 500 reactivations before disposal as non-hazardous substance. Available as stationary plant or mobile unit for high ROI and environmental responsibility. Used by industrial plants with high lube oil consumption.
• Heating, Flushing and Filtering Skids Low watt-density heating, flushing, and filtering systems for elevating, flushing, and filtering various oils and fuels, with circulating pumps and a control panel for safe, reliable operation. Used by refineries and industrial maintenance crews.
• Oil Dehydration Equipment (Model VPL) Vacuum dehydrators that remove water, light hydrocarbons, and solid contamination from lubrication oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils, compressor oils, gear oils, synthetic fluids, quenching oils, and paper machine oils. Used by industrial plants across multiple sectors.
• Mini Centralized Complete Oil Purification System (Model VPL-CSR-200) Combines Alfa Laval disc stack centrifuge with Filtervac vacuum dehydrator and particulate filter housing for removal of all forms of water (free, emulsified, and dissolved) down to less than 100 ppm. Used by smaller industrial facilities and workshops.
• Maximum Centralized Complete Oil Purification System (Model VPL-CSR-1200) Larger-capacity Alfa Laval disc stack centrifuge plus Filtervac vacuum dehydrator combination for the most efficient centralized oil purification. Used by large industrial plants with high oil throughput.
• Flare Blower Skid Canadian-designed and manufactured thermal oxidation waste gas flares meeting the latest environmental code standards. Used by refineries and industrial sites needing compliant waste gas flaring.
• Water De-Oxygenation Membrane System Water deoxygenation system using hollow fiber membrane technology. Used by industrial customers requiring deoxygenated water for boiler feed or process use.
• Centrifuge Self 3-Phase Cleaning Separator or Clarifier (Model COCT-S-400-2100-P646) Self-cleaning 3-phase oil centrifugal separator/clarifier with Alfa Laval P646 high-speed separator, separating water and particulate contamination from oil at 2,100 GPH (8,000 LPH). Used by industrial oil processors and refineries.
• Centrifuge Oil Separators Disc stack centrifuges for fast, effective simultaneous three-phase separation of oil, water, and sludge, with inlet gear pump, electric heater, polishing filter, and control panel. Used by industrial oil processors.
• Duplex Filtration System (Model VDL-Y) Duplex filtration systems with Dezurik three-way valves and quick Y-handle cover assembly for tool-free filter changeouts, providing 100% continuous filtration. Used by industrial process plants requiring uninterrupted filtration.
• Filter Vessels, Cartridge Bag Filters & Separators ASME-code designed housings for liquid filtration including bag filters, basket strainers, filter separators, and cartridge filters in carbon or stainless steel. Used by industrial process plants.
• Lubrication Systems Standard lubrication systems with optional oil coolers, backup oil pumps, and locally mounted control panels. Used by industrial plants for machinery lubrication.
• Extender Off-Line Oil Conditioner System Off-line oil conditioning system for continuous or portable use with particulate removal down to 3, 6, 14, 20, and 37 microns and optional Fuller's Earth for acids and sludge, available in 3, 10, and 30 GPM flow rates. Used by industrial plants and mining operators.
• Wheel Motor Oil Conditioning System Originally designed for Teck Coal Mining operations to maintain GE wheel motor reservoir ISO 680 gear oil, extending wheel motor bearing overhaul intervals from 1,000 to 4,000 operating hours. Used by heavy mining haul fleets.
• Filter Cart (Model FDP) Multi-purpose filter carts in single-stage (3-5 GPM) and double-stage configurations with filter housings accepting bag filters or cartridges. Used by maintenance crews for portable filtration.
• Waste Motor Oil Polishing System ECOIL-based motor oil polishing system that reduces acidity, improves oil colour and interfacial tension, and removes corrosive sulfur with automated reactivation capability. Used by oil recyclers and industrial maintenance operations.
• VPH Systems (Rental) High-vacuum purification systems available for rental with many options for suitability to a wide variety of applications, designed for processing transformer oil in workshops, field locations, or storage drums. Used by utilities and industrial customers avoiding capital outlay.
• ECOIL RS-M Mobile Transformer Oil Regeneration System (Rental) Mobile transformer oil regeneration system available for rental, housed in semi-trailer or sea freight containers. Used by utilities for short-term oil regeneration projects without capital purchase.
• Centrifuge Separator (Rental) Self-cleaning 3-phase oil centrifugal separator with Alfa Laval P646 high-speed separator available for rental. Used by industrial customers needing temporary centrifuge separation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fuller's Earth can be reactivated 200-500 times, clay disposed as non-hazardous when exhausted
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GlobeCore: Manufacturer of industrial oil processing equipment (regeneration, purification, dehydration) used in power, transformer, and industrial applications. Direct competitor in skid-mounted oil regeneration and vacuum dehydration systems serving similar transformer end customers.
• Enervac: Canadian manufacturer of oil purification, dehydration, and gas handling equipment for the electrical power and industrial markets. Direct competitor in vacuum oil purifiers and transformer oil processing with overlapping product lines and customer base.
• Doble Engineering: US-based provider of diagnostic testing, condition monitoring, and oil analysis services for the electric power industry. Overlaps with Filtervac at the transformer asset management layer and competes for service revenue tied to transformer oil condition programs.
• SDMyers: US-based transformer oil testing, fluid services, and transformer lifecycle company. Competes most directly with Filtervac's ECoil regeneration and field service offering for North American utility and industrial transformer customers.

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Swiss-Swedish power and automation multinational that is both a top Filtervac customer and a potential competitive threat. ABB manufactures power transformers and broader grid equipment; while it does not specialize in oil purification/regeneration systems, it is a key specifier and end user in the same transformer ecosystem.
• Siemens Energy: German power equipment OEM and one of Filtervac's named customers. Operates broadly across generation, transmission, and grid technology; comparable to Filtervac as a buyer-side anchor in the same transformer value chain but a much larger, diversified incumbent.
• Eaton: US-headquartered power management company with electrical and industrial filtration offerings serving utilities and industrial customers. Competes broadly in the same end markets as Filtervac but as part of a much larger portfolio that includes switchgear, transformers, and power quality products.
• Hitachi Energy: Swiss-headquartered power technology company (received a 45-column regeneration system from Filtervac) and a global transformer OEM. Competes with Filtervac's customers but also represents a direct customer relationship in oil regeneration equipment and joint research (ICTRAM 2023).

Emerging players

• Kleentek (KMT / Kaman Industrial Technologies): Manufacturer of electrostatic industrial oil cleaning and filtration systems used to remove particulate and water contamination from hydraulic and lubricating oils. Overlaps with Filtervac in the industrial oil purification niche but is more focused on hydraulic/lubrication systems than transformer oil.
• BAUR Prüf- und Messtechnik: Austrian manufacturer of diagnostic and test equipment for transformers and cable systems, including oil breakdown voltage testing. Adjacent to Filtervac in the transformer lifecycle services stack with a focus on diagnostics rather than oil regeneration equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/filtervac-international-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Filtervac International